Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Becca Locke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Becca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I started in real estate during the 2005/2006 boom, it seemed like everyone was jumping into the industry. Financing was easy to secure, and homes were selling quickly. At the time, I was a self-employed musician who had struggled to buy my first home. Watching others qualify effortlessly for multiple properties was eye-opening, and as a parent of young children, I realized I needed a more secure future. I made the leap into real estate, determined to create a foundation for retirement and build a portfolio of investment properties.
Then, the market collapsed. Experienced agents believed it would rebound quickly, but I had no such assumptions—I had gone all in and was determined to succeed. I started doing broker price opinions (BPOs) for banks, a job most agents avoided. By saying “yes” to every opportunity, I forged relationships with asset management companies that led to listings of repossessed properties. This unconventional approach launched a thriving business during one of the toughest times in real estate.
While many agents struggled to sell a home or two per year, I was closing 100-150 annually, building a team, and implementing systems to handle the volume. More importantly, we approached the work with empathy, recognizing the challenges faced by those losing their homes. This period of resilience and innovation shaped my career and gave me a unique perspective on the industry. Those early challenges not only propelled my business forward but also allowed me to help guide others in navigating the complexities of real estate—a role I remain deeply grateful for today.
Becca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Becca Locke, and I’m a Puget Sound-based real estate professional with nearly 20 years of experience helping clients buy and sell homes. Over the course of my career, I’ve sold over $100M in volume and more than 500 homes. I’ve also spent the last decade in real estate leadership, including serving as the founding Broker of Record for Compass Real Estate when they launched in Washington and as a GM for Ben Kinney Companies in Seattle. Recently, I returned to the field full-time now that my boys are off to college because my passion for this business is as strong as ever.
For me, real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about helping people confidently navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Whether I’m guiding first-time buyers, helping families maximize the value of inherited properties, or supporting out-of-state buyers on tight timelines, I’m driven by a love for problem-solving and connecting with people.
What I Do
• Buying and Selling Homes: Tailored services to meet the unique needs of each client.
• Wealth Building Through Real Estate: Helping clients make informed decisions to grow their wealth.
• Strategic Planning and Renovations: Advising sellers on cost-effective updates to maximize value.
• Education and Support: Empowering clients with knowledge for confident decision-making.
Problems I Solve
• Navigating Complexity: From competitive offers to shifting markets, I handle it all with ease.
• Maximizing Value: Using personalized, data-driven strategies to get the best ROI for sellers.
• Meeting Tight Deadlines: Helping out-of-state buyers find their dream home quickly and efficiently.
• Fostering Community Connections: Introducing clients to the Seattle area through its small businesses and vibrant neighborhoods.
What Sets Me Apart
• Deep Listening: I tailor every interaction to meet the unique goals of my clients.
• Expert Negotiation: I secure favorable outcomes, even in challenging markets.
• Local Insight: As a lifelong Washingtonian, I bring unmatched knowledge of the Pacific Northwest.
• Creative Content: Through @locke_realestate, I educate and inspire, showcasing everything from homes to local businesses and community stories.
What I’m Most Proud Of
The trust my clients place in me is my greatest accomplishment. Whether it’s navigating the emotional process of selling a family home or celebrating a couple’s first purchase, their confidence in my ability is the ultimate compliment. Seeing clients return or refer me to friends and family is the highest testament to my commitment.
What I Want You to Know
I’m here to make your life easier, your goals achievable, and your real estate journey stress-free. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling an investment property, or exploring the market, I promise a seamless, rewarding experience. Real estate isn’t just my career—it’s my passion, and I’m honored to help turn your dreams into reality.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I first started in real estate, I was stepping into the unknown. I didn’t know what a sphere of influence was or how to effectively market myself. To make things even tougher, the industry was undergoing a massive upheaval—though we didn’t fully realize it at the time, it was the start of the Great Recession.
With no clear roadmap, I rolled up my sleeves and found a way to keep going. I took on Broker Price Opinions (BPOs)—quick mini-appraisals that paid just $50 each. It wasn’t glamorous, and many agents scoffed at the idea of doing them. But I saw it differently. Each BPO was a chance to hustle, learn, and build my reputation.
I drove neighborhoods, snapped photos, studied market stats, and cranked out valuations faster than anyone else. My clients noticed. They appreciated the speed, efficiency, and dedication I brought to every job, no matter how small. Sure, I was grinding for $50 a pop, but I treated every assignment as an opportunity to master the business, understand the market, and sharpen my pricing skills.
It paid off. Those same clients began trusting me with listings for the very properties I had done valuations on. What started as small, underappreciated tasks grew into hundreds of listings during the downturn—opportunities I earned because I was willing to hustle where others wouldn’t.
The experience taught me an invaluable lesson: resilience and grit can turn even the smallest opportunities into something extraordinary. While others hesitated, I leaned into the work, and it became the foundation for my success.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats, and each role has been an opportunity to build my reputation as an expert while forging meaningful relationships. Back in the Great Recession, when I was selling bank owned properties, I approached the business differently than many of my peers. While others saw the work as unglamorous and transactional, I saw it as a chance to establish a reputation rooted in care, empathy, and professionalism.
Unlike some who treated co-brokers and peers as competitors or afterthoughts, I chose to see everyone I interacted with as a client—whether they were a bank, a buyer, or a fellow agent. At that time, it was common for some agents to neglect communication, failing to return calls or emails, which created friction and division. I decided early on that my team and I would be different. We treated everyone with respect and empathy, understanding that we were all navigating difficult times.
This mindset became the cornerstone of my reputation. People recognized that we cared—not just about closing deals, but about the individuals involved. They knew they could count on us for honesty, reliability, and compassion, and that made us the kind of team others wanted to work with.
When I transitioned into leadership, I carried that same philosophy forward. I wanted people to feel valued—not as commodities or transactions, but as individuals who mattered. I fought for the people I worked with, even when it came at a personal cost, because I believed in championing others. My honesty, my advocacy, and my genuine care for the people I served became the foundation of my reputation.
Today, I think people trust me because they know my care is real. I’ve built lasting relationships by loving deeply, working passionately, and showing up for others. There are very few people I wouldn’t work with again, but the ones I truly connect with—those relationships run deep, and they know without a doubt that I’ll always be in their corner. That’s the legacy I’ve worked to create, and it’s one I’m incredibly proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BeccaLocke.com
- Instagram: @Locke_Realestate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076340299886&sk=about
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-locke-273a1a10/
Image Credits
Peter Branchflower – image credit for the images of the interior shots